Dear 2009 Senior (or parent of
2009 senior),
It's a good thing you're
checking this site out right now! That tells me it's important to you that your
senior pictures (or your son's or daughter's) look really fantastic. And yes, class of 2009 seniors are being photographed RIGHT NOW!
Okay - Admit it. You Really DO
WANT These Photographs To Look Fantastic, Don't You?
From a graduating seniors point of view, nothing could be more disappointing
than not liking the way he or she looks in that super-important portrait that
all his or her friends and relatives will see!
On this webpage, I'm going to
reveal some powerful secrets to helping seniors look great in their portraits!
Think about this a
moment... more people will see this portrait than ANY OTHER PHOTOGRAPH you ever
have taken! Yes! Even more than will see your wedding photographs! So you want
him to be really proud of it? Right?
Well, research has
proven that the two major things that are most important to seniors about their
senior portraits are:
1.) That they look really good
in the portrait, and
2.) They also want the portrait
to have some kind of "artistic quality" to it. That
is to say that the photographs themselves to look fantastic, as well as the
senior looking fantastic in them. There's a three dimensional feeling to
it, and there's quality to the light. And his or her personality comes through.
The portrait has what I call "SPARKLE" to it.
By "Sparkle" I mean
that when the senior's friends and family look at this portrait, they say,
"Wow, you look like a million bucks! It's like you're going to step right
off the paper and speak to me! This photo of you is really great!" That's
what I call "Sparkle."
And I'm going to
do everything I can to help your senior portraits have that special
"SPARKLE!"
Why? Because I love
photographing seniors! It's what I do with a passion! You want to look
fantastic in these photographs, and I'm going to help you achieve that!
Here's How To
Avoid The 11 Huge Mistakes That 9 Out Of 10 Seniors Make With Their Senior
Portrait!
Let's go through the 11 huge
mistakes that 90% of all seniors and their parents make when it comes to their
senior portraits.
Obviously, you should contact me
right away about whether or not I have any openings left to create your senior
portrait. I am extremely booked up already, but hopefully I still have some
openings so I can do your senior portraits for you.
But that's not the point of this
website. The point of this website is to give you these 11 major mistakes that
most seniors make in reference to their senior portraits. If you don't decide
to work with me, that's fine. I still want you to be aware of these major
mistakes, so you don't make them yourself when planning your portrait!
Mistake #1 Ruins
More Senior Portraits Than Anything!
Mistake #1 is wearing the wrong
clothes! This is very normal. Even if the senior were a professional model, he
or she still wouldn't know what to wear that would help him or her look the
very best in a still photo. The "Art Director" would say what to
wear! The model would just show up, and do what he's told! The hair person
does the hair. The Art Director plans everything and tells the subject what to do
next.
You see, people don't know what
really photographs well. They just don't know. Well, we know. That's our job.
And we love it. And we're really, really good at helping you select the best
clothing for your photographs - clothing that will help you look your very
best. We will help you with this. Don't worry.
For example, the wrong clothing
can make up to a 44 pound difference in the way you look in your portrait! 44
pounds!!!
Now, most high school seniors
want to look as thin as possible in their portraits. Clothing makes a HUGE
difference in this area, so let's make sure your clothing is really perfect!
Mistake #2 Is A
HUGE Destroyer Of Senior Portraits!
Mistake #2 is making mistakes with
hair. Many seniors goof this up in several ways. But also, most photographers
goof this up, too, because they don't know how to photograph hair properly.
This is such a big point! As you
know, your hair is a huge part of your appearance. It can make or break how you
look. Weve all had bad hair days and if your photographer doesnt know what
he or she is doing, your photographs will look like a permanent bad hair day.
One of the things that separates my photography from that of most of the other photographers
in the area is that I pay as much attention to the light that is lighting your
hair, as I do to the lighting that is illuminating your face. And they are
completely different lights!
You see, if you study Hollywood
Portraiture of the stars, you begin to see how careful the photographers are
about lighting the hair. Well, I've studied the best professional Hollywood
photo masters - such as George Hurrell, who is
responsible for many of the finest portraits ever created of the Hollywood
Stars. And I'm going to use these very same techniques to create your senior
portraits to help you, and your hair look really, really perfect.
For example, many seniors who go
to other photographers often complain that, if they have dark hair, that their
hair seems to disappear into the background. Or, if they have light hair, that
their hair has no "life" or detail in the photograph. Or if their
hair is brown, that it doesn't look as great as they wanted it to. It's not
just how they combed or prepared it, it's how it's lit
in the photograph, too!
Well, that's not ever going to
happen to a portrait created by me, because I'm going to take the time and the
care in the lighting of your hair so it looks absolutely perfect. It's as if
one of these Hollywood Master Photographers just finished photographing Freddie
Prinze Jr. or Jennifer Love Hewitt, and now is going
to do your portrait, and I'm going to put as much care into lighting you as
they would!
Mistake #3 - An
Amazing Secret Revealed!
Okay, you and I have to talk
about blemishes here. If you (or your son or daughter) has some, and who
doesn't, youre probably worried about whether or not they will show in this
portrait.
The HUGE mistake that almost
EVERY SENIOR makes is that they don't ask the photographer about retouching
before having the photos taken. I know, every senior is embarrassed about
blemishes, and doesn't want to talk about it to ANYONE - especially a person
they just met.
But this portrait is really
important, and you want to look REALLY GREAT in it, so we need to talk about
this blemish thing.
The secret: Be absolutely
positively sure that your photographer is going to carefully and painstakingly
RETOUCH all your portraits - and do it to perfection! In my humble opinion, a
portrait that is not professionally retouched is NOT A PORTRAIT! It's just a
"picture" that no one cares enough about to properly finish and
produce to the best quality that money can buy!
I guess that's another reason
that so many seniors and their parents hire us to create their senior
portraits. We honestly, sincerely care about how you or your son or daughter
will look, and we aren't going to embarrass you in any way, but we are going to
do everything in our power to help you look "like a million bucks" in
these portraits, so all your friends are really impressed! (And "a million
bucks" means THERE WILL BE NO BLEMISHES ON THE FINISHED PORTRAITS!)
You see, what this all
"boils down to" is you want a photographer who is going to take good
care of you. Someone whose only goal is to help seniors look absolutely perfect
in their portraits! And that's what we are all about. Taking the time, and
putting forth the effort to spare no expense in helping you look really
attractive -better than youve ever looked - in your senior photographs!
Mistake
#4 Is A "Silent Killer" Of Senior Portraits!
Most seniors don't understand
(or don't want to admit) that they get nervous in front of a camera. And they
don't know what to do about it.
You see, there are over 30
muscles in your face. And if youre tense, these muscles tense up, and
therefore, you won't like the photographs. You won't know why you dont like 'em. You just won't.
One of the keys to our success
in photography, is that we will not photograph any
senior, without having met them in advance. And what's the purpose of this?
Yes, we're going to talk about clothing, and all the other things. But the main
purpose of this meeting is to give you the chance to meet us, get to know us,
and see just how well we are going to take care of you through this. You will
see the studio. We'll give you a tour. We'll spend time with you so you begin
to feel comfortable and confident about how you can trust us and take our
advice.
This is going to make an
enormous difference in how natural and confident you look on the day of your
photography! It's almost like magic! You will be impressed!
I can't stress this enough. You
see, most photographers just are not willing to do this. Why? Because it takes time. All they want to do is crank people
through their studio like a "factory." They want to do your
photograph as if they were building a car. They want to put you on the assembly
line, and run you through, click-click-click-turn this way - click, etc....Next
person please.
We will not do that to you.
We're going to meet you ahead of time, and we're going to treat this as if it
were the most important photo of your life - because it is.
See what a huge difference this
will make in how you feel on the day of your photography? You'll feel great.
You'll have met us. You'll have seen the studio. You'll know that what youre
wearing is perfect. You'll know that your hair is going to look perfect. You'll
know that no blemishes will show! So You'll be
confident, and excited - not nervous and apprehensive.
Mistake
#5 Will Ruin Your Senior Portrait If You Aren't Aware Of It!
Most seniors don't realize that
it takes longer than 10 minutes to create outstanding senior portraits.
One of the unique things that separates us from all the other photographers in the area,
is that we take all the time that is necessary to create portraits that you
will be proud of. Photographs that your friends and relatives will really like
- yes like!
That's what we're all about.
We're not going to rush you through like it's a factory. We're going to help
you through this whole thing. We understand that this portrait is important to
you, so we're not going to rush through this.
Mistake
#6 Is Critically Important To Your Appearance In Your Portrait!
Most seniors don't realize that
sometimes, "today is just not the day" for their senior portrait to
be done. The hair just isn't right today. Or maybe you didn't sleep well last
night. Or perhaps youve had too many stresses at school or home. Or maybe you
just had a fight with your boyfriend or girlfriend, etc.
Well, we understand this. We
honestly understand that the day we set up for your photography may end up not
being the best day, when it arrives, for whatever reason. And we have
absolutely no problem, whatsoever, with you calling us and rescheduling the
session, if "today isn't the day." We WANT YOU TO DO THAT!
You see, one of the things that is really unique about us, is how easy and fun
we are to work with. So, for example, let's say you end up deciding to have us
create your senior portraits, and we set up a time for your session for
Tuesday, the 15th at 3:30pm. Well, let's say you wake up that Tuesday, and just
"doesnt feel right." Plus, your hair isn't cooperating that morning,
and youre really tired, too.
Well, you just call us. You say,
"Hi, today just isn't the day. I'm really sorry." And we will
immediately understand and know exactly what you mean. And we will reschedule
his session for you - no problem.
Now, we are terribly busy, and
booked up, BUT, WE DON'T TREAT YOU LIKE A FACTORY. We
understand. We won't make you feel guilty. Why? Because we've been doing this
for over 12 years, and we completely understand exactly how you feel! It's no
problem at all.
We understand this is a
once-in-a-life-time thing.
Now, I know what you are
thinking. You're thinking, "Give me a break. This is just a photo."
Well, yes, but it's your SENIOR
PORTRAIT, and it's the only one youre ever going to have. And all the people
who matter to you are going to see this portrait! So let's make darn sure it's
fantastic! Right? And that's what we're all about.
That's what's so special about us.
It's not the digital film we
use. It's not the camera we use. It's not the backgrounds we use. (Although we use the best of everything!) The thing that
separates us from everyone else, is how sincerely we
want to help you look absolutely perfect - stunning - fantastic - better than
ever - in your senior photographs.
Mistake #7 Is A
Little Technical, But Extremely Important To You!
Seniors (and an awful lot of
photographers) don't realize how important light is in photography. The wrong light, and the wrong direction of light can add up to 27
pounds to you on film, and also, bring out your worst features!
It's really a matter of life or
death in portraiture. The light is the "paint brush" with which I
"paint" your senior portrait. It's very important!
Now, one of the things that separates my photography from all the other photographers in
the area is that I have studied light from the true Masters of fine portraiture
for over 12 years.
I understand that there is only
ONE type and direction of light that will help you
look your VERY BEST. Only one. And this is different
for every person! Again, that's another reason we must meet you in advance, so
we can determine the very BEST LIGHT for you and have it ready to use at your
session day and time.
You see, there are five major
highlight areas on your face. And they must be PERFECTLY lighted, or you won't
look your best!
Also, I don't want to get too
technical here, but if you're still reading this, you realize how important
this portrait is, and you sincerely want to look your absolute best. So... the
"Transition Zone" of light, between the highlights and the shadows is
what "paints" the contours of your face, and brings out your
personality and "SPARKLE." So we want to be darn sure that this
"Transition Zone" is perfect, too! I could go on and on, but you get
the idea.
Also, light is equally important
for outdoor senior portraits! It must be absolutely PERFECT if we are to create
a portrait of you which truly "Sparkles". So, the type of outdoor
portraits you like will then determine the perfect TIME OF DAY to create the
portraits. It's so important.
Mistake #8
Determines A Great Portrait Or A Terrible One!
Nine out of ten seniors don't
realize how important posing is. The most important word when it comes to
posing is "NATURAL." You absolutely don't want to look stiff and
fake! One of the most common comments we hear from our clients is how
"natural" the portraits look. Our seniors love how good they look,
but they also love how "natural" they appear in the images.
You see, I understand that you
want to look really great, but also you dont want to be put into some weird,
stupid, pathetic pose that makes you look stiff and unnatural.
Yes, I will "guide"
you so the composition and "look" of the portraits is really great.
But I will NOT push you around and try to put you into unnatural positions that
are just plain crazy looking. You and I will work together to help you look confident,
comfortable, and just plain great.
This Is Extremely Important To
You! Don't Miss This:
You want to be sure to select a
photographer who will not "manhandle" you with the posing. Almost all
the photographers in our state tend to touch their clients and push them around
way too much when posing them. (In my humble opinion.)
The posing is so important, and should not be done by sticking you in the
middle of your back if you arent sitting up quite straight enough! But that's
what so many photographers do. Why? Because they're in a
hurry. They have another 51 seniors to photograph before the day is
over, and they can't take the time to "guide" you. They just stick
their hand into your back, grab you by the shoulders, and get you to sit up
straight. Not only does this make you really uncomfortable, but it also makes
you look stiff!
That's why I call it
"guiding". I will guide you with words. I don't grab you or poke you.
This is so important to helping you feel comfortable!
However, I am really picky. I'll
be very careful, and very attentive to detail. I may pick a little at your hair
if something is out of place. I straighten your collar or sleeves. I straighten
your shirt if it has a funny wrinkle in it. Don't worry about a thing! We'll
make sure you look "like a million bucks! We're very picky, but we don't
manhandle you - and we won't drive you "nuts" with being overly picky
either!
Strange, But True...And You'll
Be Very Glad...
In fact, I have a nickname here
at the studio. They all call me "Eagle Eye." And they call me that
because I'm so darn picky. Everything must be perfect before I expose the film.
I'll work quickly, but carefully.
The key thing with posing, is that you look honestly natural. The seniors I
photograph tell me all the time how great their photographs look from a point
of view of being natural. They say things like this: "It's like I just sat
down naturally, by myself! That's exactly how I sit! I can't believe it! How'd
you know that?" And you see, that's what "guiding" will do for
your portraits, too!
We're talking about where your
arm is in the portrait. And if your hand is in the portrait, does it look
natural?
And so many seniors and their
parents don't realize this when they're calling around to different
photographers. They have no idea how important this is. So look at the
photographs done by any photographer you're considering selecting. Do they look
natural, or do they look "posed" or stiff?
If you'll look at the
photographs I've included throughout this website, you'll see how natural and
comfortable they look. And read the comments the people have said about their
senior portraits. Hopefully that will help you.
Mistake
#9 Is Of Enormous Importance! Don't Miss This One!
This mistake has ruined so many
senior portraits! It's the mistake of not choosing a photographer who
GUARANTEES THAT YOU WILL BE REALLY HAPPY - and who will give you all your money
back, if you aren't!
Here's our guarantee: "You
will be THRILLED (not just 'satisfied') with your portraits, or we will do
whatever is necessary for you to be thrilled, or we will return every penny of
your money. No hassles and no hard feelings either. We want you to be THRILLED
with your senior portraits, and will spare no effort or expense to see to it
that you are! We absolutely guarantee it!"
You see, only a photographer who
really believes in his product and service is going to be willing to have such
a powerful guarantee. So his guarantee is your first indication of whether or
not you even want to work with him. I just can't stress this enough. Ask about
the guarantee. Listen to their reaction. That will tell you if you want to
trust your senior portraits to that photographer.
Mistake #10 Is So
Obvious, And Yet Most Seniors Or Their Parents Don't Do It!
What's this mistake? Not asking
lots of questions when youre talking with photographers. Now, if you're still
reading this, you certainly have the questions to ask, right?
Remember, you are the customer -
you have all the rights! You have the right to ask the tough questions, before
you make any decisions!
You ask them first about their
guarantee, and see how they respond.
Then you ask them if they will
meet with you in person, at no charge, to discuss the clothing, etc, and give
you a tour.
Then you ask them if they will
guarantee that they'll remove any and all blemishes you might have at the time
of the photography.
Then ask them about how they
light the hair perfectly? Ask them if they know who George Hurrell
was, and if they understand his techniques.
Then ask them how much time they
are going to spend with you. And do they do outdoor portraits, as well as
indoor portraits.
Ask them if they are understanding if you call on the day of your session, to
reschedule because "Today isn't the day."
Ask them if they understand the
importance of the correct lighting of the "Five Major Highlight
Areas." Ask them if they know what a "Transition Zone" is.
Ask them if their posing is
natural, or more "posy and stiff."
See how much you have learned so
far? Pretty amazing, when you think about it, isn't it?
Mistake #11 Can
Ruin Everything!
What's this mistake? It's
choosing the WRONG PHOTOGRAPHER FOR YOUR SENIOR PORTRAIT. Everything depends on
that one decision.
And hopefully, now that you know
these 11 major mistakes that most seniors or parents make - you wont make
those mistakes! You'll be able to chose the right
photographer for yourself, based on all this new found information you now
have!
Now, we may not be the right
photographer for you. But the fact that you're still reading this means we
probably are. Because we care about all the things I've talked about to you
here. But the only way you'll really know for sure if we are right for you or
not is to call us.
So What Should You Do Right Now?
Now, while it's fresh in your
mind, pick up the phone, and call me so we can chat on the phone. No charge. No
obligation. No sales pitch. We're not that kind of studio. We'll just chat. You
can ask us any questions you may have. We'll see if there are any session times
still remaining for seniors. If there are, and if you'd like to, we can set up
a time for you to come in and we can chat a bit. There's still no charge or
obligation. You do not need to have made a decision to hire us, before you can
come in and chat with us! No way!
Then, after we meet and chat, if
you feel you'd like to have us create your senior portraits, fine. If not, fine
also. We are here to help you in any way we can. But we're not here to pressure
you into doing anything you don't want to do. The decisions are completely up
to you.
However, I do want to urge you
to act immediately! My schedule is almost completely full at the time I'm
updating this site. Very few senior session times remain! Why? Because I have
such a great reputation from my past seniors I have worked with. They tell all
their friends, and then they all call me, and my book just completely fills up.
Plus, because we spend so much time with each one of the seniors we photograph,
we can't photograph as many seniors as other photographers who have more of a
"factory" arrangement.!
So if anything I have said here
sounded the least bit interesting to you, CALL NOW! DO NOT WAIT EVEN ONE DAY ON
THIS! CLICK on the Contact Page right now to get the number to call.
I Have A Very
Special Offer For You...FREE!
(But ONLY if
youre one of the first 49 people to call me!)
As long as you are one of the
first 49 people to call me - just to chat - I will make you a FANTASTIC OFFER!
You can save 50% off the creation of your senior portraits (or those of your
son or daughter)! That saves you a bunch of money! But you'll need to act
quickly!
Call right away. I cant wait to
talk to you about your senior portraits! CLICK HERE.
Sincerely,
Craig Furze
Professional Senior Photographer
PS. Call us now. We have an
excellent reputation in the community, and we'll take really good care of you.
So call us today. We'll just chat. No charge, no obligation, no sales talk. But
don't put it off. I know that at this moment, you aren't sure about your senior
portraits. That's fine. But, please understand that because we spend so much
time with each one of our seniors, we only have 49 session times remaining for
this special offer. Once they are gone, you will not be able to get the 50%
discount off the creation of the images. So call right now.
PPS. One last thing. Having your
senior portrait taken is such a personal thing, that you want to be sure you
select a photographer who is not only really driven to help you look fantastic,
but who you (or your son or daughter) also like and trust. That's why I urge
you to read the comments from some of the other seniors we've photographed, and
then call us and chat on the phone. This will give you an immediate feeling as
to the type of people we are, so you can decide now, while we hopefully still
have some session times available, whether or not you'd like to at least come
in and chat. Call right now. We will enjoy hearing from you!
to you.
All images and content © Craig Furze Photography. Craig Furze Photography specializes in photography in Syracuse NY and surrounding areas. Photography services include Syracuse Wedding Photography, Syracuse Family Photography, High School Senior Photography, and Event Photography.